Just Kidding
Just series
What’s inside...
Just Kidding is a humor-filled children's book written by Andy Griffiths. The book is a collection of short stories, anecdotes, and illustrations designed to make young readers laugh. Andy's trademark style includes a mix of silly jokes, outrageous scenarios, and playful language that often involves clever wordplay and puns. The stories often revolve around themes of school life, friendships, and the daily mishaps of a kid's world. Just Kidding is part of a larger series of books by Andy Griffiths that aim to entertain children while encouraging them to enjoy the fun of reading through comedy and laughter. Andy loves to play practical jokes, but they never quite seem to work out like he intends.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-11
Length
137 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the jokes in the book make you feel, and why do you think they had that effect?
Can you think of a time when a joke might have gone too far? How could you handle a similar situation?
What do you think about the relationship between the characters, and how do they show their feelings in a funny way?
Why is it important to make sure everyone is having fun when you're joking around?
How can you tell if someone isn't enjoying a joke?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a gentle tone to discuss the differences between fun teasing and hurtful teasing to emphasize empathy.
Share your own experiences with jokes, both positive and negative, to create a personal connection.
Encourage your child to express how they feel about the jokes and characters in the book, validating their feelings.
Discuss the importance of understanding others' emotions and reactions in social interactions, using examples from the book.
Highlight the book's messages about communication and respect in friendships through examples that are relatable to your child's everyday experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of words
Explanation: In 'Just Kidding', the protagonist learns how words can hurt others, even if said in jest.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being more mindful of their words and considering how they might affect their peers.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy
Explanation: The story demonstrates the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to put themselves in others' shoes, enhancing their ability to relate to and care for others.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Andy Griffiths' narrative shows how actions, even small ones, can have larger consequences.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think ahead about the possible effects of their actions on themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: Through the interactions between characters, the book illustrates effective ways to solve misunderstandings and disputes.
Real-World Application: Children are guided on how to peacefully resolve conflicts with their friends and family members.